We’re pleased to share this piece fromLawrence J. McQuillan is senior fellow and director of the Center on Entrepreneurial Innovation atThe Independent Institutein Oakland, California.

The big budget bills have been resolved for this legislative session but the public has good reason to remain on alert. Senate Bill 1, introduced by State Senator Darrell Steinberg (D – Sacramento), is so dangerous that the Assembly should swiftly kill it.

The measure will allow any California city or county to create a “Sustainable Communities Investment Authority,” governed by unelected bureaucrats selected by the city or county officials themselves. Each newly created Authority will build development projects in designated geographic areas. These will comply with SB 375, which connects California land use to the state’s climate change law, AB 32, which sets goals for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.

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“Well done, good and faithful servant…enter into the joy of your master”.

I’ve no doubt that those were among the first words Jane Barnett heard after she passed from this life to the next. In the parable of the talents, Jesus indicates this as the ultimate praise and reward for a job well done. Jane is a shining example of good and faithful service in every aspect of her life.

Jane’s biography and long list of positions held and campaigns worked on is well known, so I will not focus on those. I want to talk about the essence of Jane – the goodness of her heart, the depth of her love for things and people she held dear, and her commitment to the values that made America.

If you knew of Jane’s commitment to four basics in her life – faith, family, friends and country – you could reasonably predict how she would react in any situation. Her Catholic faith was her cornerstone, and Jane walked the walk as well as talked the talk. Her faith shined brightly from Jane every day in every situation. Her family was the center of her life, and even in the most harried political situation you could always get a smile out of Jane… Read More

[Publisher’s Note: As part of an ongoing effort to bring original, thoughtful commentary to you here at the FlashReport, I am pleased to present this column from Jon Coupal. Coupal is the President of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association – Flash]

One would think that last year’s passage of Proposition 30, which gave California the highest income tax and sales tax rates in America, would satiate politicians’ appetite for even higher taxes – if even for a moment.No such luck.Not only are legislators vigorously promoting changes to Proposition 13 that would make it much easier to raise property taxes by doing away with the two-thirds vote, there is almost no limit to the other current schemes designed squeeze more revenue from the public.Indeed, the California Taxpayers Association has identified 66 bills representing more than $11 billion in new revenue now moving in the Legislature.

One such bill, flying under the radar scene until recently, is a direct hit on property owners.Senate Bill 391 by Bay Area Senator Mark DeSaulnier places a $75 recording tax on documents filed in county recorder offices for items ranging… Read More

Late last week longtime GOP activist Jane Barnett passed away after a long battle with cancer. On the day of her passing I penned a brief memorial column. I reached out to two of Jane’s closest friends, Linda and Doug Boyd, and asked them if they would share some thoughts on Jane’s passing, which they did. Below is some information on Jane’s funeral services, followed by the article from Doug and Linda. _______________________________

You are invited to come and celebrate with us the life and love that Jane Barnett has shared with us all tomorrow, Tuesday, August 13th…

9:30am Viewing to be held at Holy Family Church 209 E. Lomita Ave, Glendale, CA 91205

10am Mass to be held at Holy Family Church Mass to be preformed by Rev. James M Bevacqua… Read More

Today the members of the California State Senate return after their summer break. They follow on the heals of their Assembly colleagues who went back into session last Monday. On the occasion of the Assembly’s return, I penned a column which I would commend Senate Republicans to read as well.

But the gist of it is that Senate Republicans, who now number a cool dozen with the addition of State Senator Andy Vidak, have an opportunity over the next month or so before the formal end of the 2013 legislative session on September 13 to demonstrate unity and solidarity. While Democrats will technically enjoy a super-majority in the Senate, it will be just barely as one Democrat Senate seat is vacant and will not be filled before the end of session.

What does this mean? It means that if Republicans stay united as a caucus that Senate President Darrell Steinberg will need to corral every single one of his caucus members in order to pass legislation or Rules maneuvers that require the super-majority vote. That will not be easy… Read More

I was saddened to hear today that my friend of a quarter-century, Jane Barnett, passed away this morning after a very long battle with cancer. Jane was a leader of conservatives. There is no way to really walk you through all the many roles that she played over the years in advancing the conservative and Republican causes. I will say this — if there were Academy Awards for politics, she would have won so many, and in so many categories. Best Actress for her role as Chairman of the Los Angeles County GOP, and as a candidate, herself, for State Assembly. And many Best Supporting Actress nods for so many roles with so many causes, going back to her role(s) helping with the campaigns of Ronald Reagan, working for great politicians like Pat Nolan, Jim Rogan, Oliver North and others, working with the Boy Scouts, and so much more. Of course she is survived by her soul-mate and fellow conservative warrior Louis Wm. Barnett, seven children and at least eight grandchildren.

When I met Jane I was barely twenty years old and both she and Lou took on the role of mentoring me, and helping to guide a young, eager conservative activist in directions that would help me… Read More

It was a pleasure to help California Trailblazers kick-off its second candidate training for the 2013-14 election cycle last week in Burbank. The program followed the successful nuts and bolts training in Sacramento in April. Candidates were put through an election boot camp, which focused on communications and media training. Enthusiastic candidates from across the state listened to and learned from the best practitioners in political communication.

I talked with candidates about my experience running for office and offered tips and techniques on how best to interact with reporters and media during an election.

The lineup was impressive. Jonathan Wilcox, a former speech writer to Governor Wilson, Governor Deukmejian and President Reagan, explained how candidates should develop a comprehensive communications strategy and execute a strong roll out.

Jeff Montejano offered his expertise to attendees as well. Jeff of KCOMM, is a veteran of California Republican politics and has more than a decade of private sector experience working with fortune 500 companies to help CEOs with crisis communications. Jeff offered on-camera training for the candidates,… Read More

During the 2012 campaign against Republican Mitt Romney, President Obama repeatedly claimed “Al Queda is on the run,” reassuring Americans that his counter-terrorism policies are working and implying Americans are safe, or at least safer, from the threat of radical jihadism.

This week’s closure of nearly two dozen American diplomatic facilities throughout the Middle East North Africa (MENA) region has raised new questions of whether it is Al Queda that is on the run – or America.

In a report released last month, our friends at the Heritage Foundation documented 60 publicly known terrorist plots directed against the United States since 9/11. Of these, 56 were foiled while four were successful: (1) an attack with a motor vehicle on the campus of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2006; (2) a shooting at a military recruiting center in Little Rock, Ark. In 2009; (3) the Ft. Hood shootings by Maj. Nidal Hasan in 2009; and (4) the Boston Marathon bombings earlier this year.

A… Read More